Category Archives: Physics

Geostationary Orbit – Calculations and GIF

Posted on February 15, 2016 by podolakvandysolarsystem

Geostationary Orbit (GSO) is a specific type of orbit around the earth with a period of exactly one day, intentionally matching the rate of earth’s rotation. GSO is at zero inclination, meaning it is directly above the equator. This also means that a geostationary satellite will always be in the same point in the sky […] Continue reading →

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GRAVITATIONAL WAVES!!!!

Posted on February 15, 2016 by harperastronomyblog

According to the this video by the New York Times, Scientists working at LIGO (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) have made a monumental discovery that reinforces Albert Einstein’s theory of special relatively put forth almost a hundred years ago. Einstein predicted gravitational waves when he announced his theory, but until LIGO’s announcement on Thursday, no […] Continue reading →

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LIGHTSPEED, COSMIC SPEEDLIMITS, AND (FINALLY!) LOOKING INTO THE PAST (Part 2)

Posted on February 15, 2016 by harperastronomyblog

In one of my previous posts , I explained what a light-year was and how the speed of light remains constant in a vacuum (a.k.a. space). I also explained that there would be another post explaining some of the things that I couldn’t fit in that post. Now I am finally ready to finish–the long awaited!–part […] Continue reading →

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Hearing the Universe

Posted on February 15, 2016 by alecsolarsystem

One of the most groundbreaking theories in astronomy has just been proven with the announcement last week that gravitational waves have been detected. Einstein had predicted these waves in 1916 in his theory of general relativity, and they were only just found today using lasers, which Einstein also laid the foundation for one year later in 1917. These […] Continue reading →

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It’s Gettin’ Hot in Herre

Posted on February 15, 2016 by impossibleensign

Pharrell was probably thinking of bodies when he helped penned this hit for Nelly. Despite what the title may suggest I don’t think he had thermal radiation in mind… Continue reading →

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The Tidal Forces

Posted on February 14, 2016 by alecsolarsystem

Tides are a well known and commonly occurring natural phenomenon that most people have witnessed. While many people just accept tides and don’t really think much about them, they are prime examples of how much of an impact other objects in our Solar System have on seemingly normal occurrences. The tides on a beach like […] Continue reading →

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Traveling at the Speed of Light

Posted on January 26, 2016 by imanig625

Traveling at the speed of light is entirely impossible in this present day and age, and the question of whether or not we will be able to travel at such a high speed or faster is still unanswerable. The speed of light sets the speed limit for the universe, so that should mean that light… Continue reading →

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Your Zodiac Sign is Wrong: 3 Misconceptions You Have About the Night-Sky

Posted on January 26, 2016 by harperastronomyblog

We all get it. You’re a Capricorn or a Taurus or a Sagittarius or a(n) [any other zodiac constellation]. You’ve read all of your horoscopes, and they fit your personality soooo well. “This is so me,” you might yell to your friends, completely disregarding the fact that they don’t care which vague internet prediction you identify with. […] Continue reading →

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Lightspeed, Cosmic speedlimits, and Looking into the Past (Part 1)

Posted on January 26, 2016 by harperastronomyblog

In my last post, I made it a point to say that I would try to keep my blog interesting. In light of that decision (I didn’t even notice this pun until I already had this entire post typed up, so this one’s not on me), and because the winter makes me long for the […] Continue reading →

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The Great Shift

Posted on January 25, 2016 by alecsolarsystem

The Earth is like the top from Inception. As it spins around at very high speeds it wobbles or “precesses” back and forth as the force of gravity from the Moon and Sun tug it from different directions, but it will never fall over. This movement, although much slower and less noticeable than the Earth’s […] Continue reading →

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